Settling In 99ask the amount of gastos communes to avoid any unpleasant
budgetary surprises later on. Also, make sure that there is
no extra fee for the parking space. High-end housing most
often comes with kitchen appliances, but moderate housing
generally does not. This means that you will have to purchase
your own stove, refrigerator, microwave, light fixtures, etc.
Estufas
One appliance you may not be familiar with is the estufa
(space heater). Many pricey new houses and apartments
are now equipped with central heating, although it tends
to be very expensive. More moderately priced and older
housing does not have central heating. Santiago experiences
an uncomfortable damp cold in the winter which makes an
estufa a must for every major room in the house. Because
most Chileans have only two or three estufas, some rooms
are closed off for the winter.
There are three types of estufas: gas, electric and kerosene
(parafina). Kerosene is the older and cheaper type, and tends
to be the most popular. Once the wick is lit, it glows red
for hours. Kerosene can be purchased at most gas stations
(buy your own reusable container). Because the kerosene
gives off an unpleasant smell, many people put a bowl of
water with eucalyptus leaves or orange rinds on top of the
heater. It should never be used in a small room and doors to
other rooms need to be left open a crack for air circulation.
When extinguishing the flame, major fumes are emitted by
the estufa. Therefore, they should only be extinguished in a
well ventilated, preferably outdoor area. A new line of more
expensive kerosene heaters are now on the market that are
able to heat up much larger spaces with little odor.
Electric estufas are an expensive way to heat a room
because they are not very efficient. However, they are the
easiest, cleanest and most convenient to use. It is tempting
to purchase an electric estufa because all you need to do is
plug it in, but be prepared for a very high electric bill.
Gas estufas are cheaper than electric estufas and more
convenient than kerosene estufas. Some use gas that is
piped into your home directly, but most use refillable gas